Florence McClure
Dublin Core
Title
Florence McClure
Subject
Source
Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Publisher
Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)
Rights
This resource is available for education and research purposes. This collection is a collaboration and combination of various projects including, but not limited to; the Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project, the Nevada Women’s Archives, the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and the Makers: Women in Nevada History Project, a co-production of the Women's Research Institute of Nevada and VegasPBS. The text, images, audio and video in this collection are under copyright by different repositories and may not be reproduced without express written consent of the appropriate entities.
Person Item Type Metadata
Work/Contribution
Co-founder of the Rape Crisis Center
Birth Date
September 26, 1921
Birthplace
Arrival in Las Vegas
1966
Death Date
November 5, 2009
Interviewer
Date of Interview
January 24 & February 6, 1996
Biographical Text
Florence McClure is known as “Hurricane Flo” because of her tireless efforts to improve conditions for women in the state of Nevada. She co-founded a rape-crisis organization, Community Action Against Rape (CAAR), now known as the Rape Crisis Center. Her advocacy for women in the state has also led to improvements for the female prisoners, improved police-community relations and better investigation of sex crimes.
Florence McClure moved to Las Vegas in 1966. She was instrumental in the opening of the Frontier Hotel. She helped build the new hotel into a major resort on the Las Vegas Strip. McClure made history as one of the first female executives in the resort industry. However, she did not limit her activities to the resort industry and also became active in local civic organizations. McClure helped start the Las Vegas chapter of Soroptomist International. In 1966, she joined the Las Vegas chapter of the League of Women Voters. She applied her civic duty to the State Legislature through her work in the Nevada Women’s Lobby.
In 1969, McClure decided to return to college and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UNLV. She then co-founded Community Action Against Rape (CAAR) with Sandi Petta in 1973. McClure directed CAAR for twelve years. Under her leadership, CAAR was able to change the way law enforcement individuals treated victims of rape. CAAR worked with judges, police officers and medical practioners to increase sensitivity toward victims of assault. Hospitals began to keep rape kits on hand and police attended sensitivity training. CAAR has provided important support and resources for the women of Las Vegas for more than twenty years.
Florence McClure also championed the cause of Nevada’s incarcerated women. She lobbied the state successfully to locate the women’s prison near Clark County, instead of a proposed rural site. The placement near Las Vegas allowed the prisoners to be closer to their children. In 2007, the state legislature voted to rename the prison in her honor.
Florence McClure died on November 5, 2009.
Florence McClure truly earned her nickname of “Hurricane Flo” through her constant efforts to improve the lives of Las Vegas women.
Florence McClure moved to Las Vegas in 1966. She was instrumental in the opening of the Frontier Hotel. She helped build the new hotel into a major resort on the Las Vegas Strip. McClure made history as one of the first female executives in the resort industry. However, she did not limit her activities to the resort industry and also became active in local civic organizations. McClure helped start the Las Vegas chapter of Soroptomist International. In 1966, she joined the Las Vegas chapter of the League of Women Voters. She applied her civic duty to the State Legislature through her work in the Nevada Women’s Lobby.
In 1969, McClure decided to return to college and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UNLV. She then co-founded Community Action Against Rape (CAAR) with Sandi Petta in 1973. McClure directed CAAR for twelve years. Under her leadership, CAAR was able to change the way law enforcement individuals treated victims of rape. CAAR worked with judges, police officers and medical practioners to increase sensitivity toward victims of assault. Hospitals began to keep rape kits on hand and police attended sensitivity training. CAAR has provided important support and resources for the women of Las Vegas for more than twenty years.
Florence McClure also championed the cause of Nevada’s incarcerated women. She lobbied the state successfully to locate the women’s prison near Clark County, instead of a proposed rural site. The placement near Las Vegas allowed the prisoners to be closer to their children. In 2007, the state legislature voted to rename the prison in her honor.
Florence McClure died on November 5, 2009.
Florence McClure truly earned her nickname of “Hurricane Flo” through her constant efforts to improve the lives of Las Vegas women.
Bibliography
Florence McClure, “An Interview with Florence Alberta Schilling McClure, An Oral History Conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin” [transcript] Las Vegas Women Oral History Project, Series II: Community Builders (1996), Special Collections and Archives University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Guide to the Florence McClure Papers. Nevada Women’s Archives. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # MS-00477.
insert audio clips somewhere
Guide to the Florence McClure Papers. Nevada Women’s Archives. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # MS-00477.
insert audio clips somewhere
Collection
Citation
“Florence McClure,” Makers Teaching Modules, accessed March 12, 2025, https://makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/items/show/77.